aftershock
noun
af·ter·shock
ˈaf-tər-ˌshäk 
1
: an aftereffect of a distressing or traumatic event
The team is still dealing with the aftershock of losing their best player.
2
: a minor shock following the main shock of an earthquake
Examples of aftershock in a Sentence
The first aftershock came just minutes after the earthquake.
Recent Examples on the Web
Rodríguez said 689 aftershocks have been recorded since the main quakes, though both their frequency and average magnitude appear to be declining — a cautiously positive sign, though not enough to rule out further dangerous seismic activity.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
Meanwhile, frightful aftershocks continued to rock the area, sowing terror in a population already reaching the limits of endurance.
—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
More than three days on, with aftershocks still rattling the region, the window to find survivors is quickly closing.
—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Jorge Rodríguez said there were no reports of additional damage, but the latest aftershock sent residents in the capital of Caracas screaming into the streets.
—
Juan Pablo Arraez,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for aftershock
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Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
Meanwhile, frightful aftershocks continued to rock the area, sowing terror in a population already reaching the limits of endurance.
—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
More than three days on, with aftershocks still rattling the region, the window to find survivors is quickly closing.
—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
29 June 2026
Jorge Rodríguez said there were no reports of additional damage, but the latest aftershock sent residents in the capital of Caracas screaming into the streets.
—
Juan Pablo Arraez,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for aftershock
Cite this Entry
“Aftershock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aftershock. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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